The name Arnold originated with the Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled Britain. It is derived from the personal nameArnoaldi, which is itself derived from the Frankish name "Arnuwalda." The Frankish given name Arnuwald, which is composed of two elements, arnu, which means eagle, and walda, which means powerful, was given to a person who was as powerful as an eagle.

Arnold Early Origins

The surname Arnold was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat for many centuries and were recorded in the Domesday Book, [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) a census taken by King William, Duke of Normandy in 1086 A.D.

Arnold Spelling Variations

Arnold Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Arnold has appeared include Arnold, Ernold, FitzArnold, Arrnold, Errnold, Aernold and many more.

Arnold Early History

Arnold Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arnold research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1212, 1273, 1296, 1587, 1676, 1635, 1615, 1678, 1635, 1702 and are included under the topic Early Arnold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arnold Early Notables (pre 1700)

Arnold Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include William Arnold (1587-ca.1676), English settler to America in 1635, one of the founding settlers of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and with his sons was among the wealthiest people in the colony; Benedict Arnold (1615-1678), English-born settler...

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Arnold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Arnold In Ireland

Arnold In Ireland

Some of the Arnold family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Arnold arrived in North America very early:

Arnold Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Arnold, aged 18, landed in St Christopher in 1634

William and Thomas Arnold of Nottingham, England, who settled in Higham Mass, and Watertown New York in May 1635. William later moved to Providence, Rhode Island. He was allegedly the richest man in the colony, and he was the ancestor of Benedict Arnold

General Benedict Arnold, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Canada c. 1783 struck off by order in council Janruary 8, 1799 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X

Arnold Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

George Arnold was a defendant in the Supreme Court in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1810 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

Pat Arnold from County Waterford, Ireland, was married in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1811 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

John Arnold from England and his brother William settled at Greenspond, Newfoundland in 1836, moved later to Traytown [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

William Arnold was a fisherman in Bloody Bay, Newfoundland in 1871 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

Thomas Arnold was a fisherman of Indian Arm, Newfoundland in 1872 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0

John Arnold, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on July 29th, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia[4]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 151 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1823

William Arnold arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Moffatt" in 1839 [5]CITATION[CLOSE]State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MOFFATT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Moffatt.htm

Suggested Readings for the name Arnold

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Other References

Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.

MacAulay, Thomas Babington. History of England from the Accession of James the Second 4 volumes. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1879. Print.

Bardsley, C.W. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6).

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X).

Bede, The Venerable. Historia Ecclesiatica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History Of the English People). Available through Internet Medieval Sourcebook the Fordham University Centre for Medieval Studies. Print.

The Arnold Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Arnold Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.